The data center boom is here.
Data centers have been around for years, but the demand has been growing in the Midwest for the past few years. Experts say the demand has skyrocketed due to generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT becoming available to the public.
Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana have a combined 592 data centers either planned or operational, according to Data Center Map. Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Google and OpenAI have at least 34 projects planned or operating in Indiana and its border states.
But not everyone is happy with these steel warehouses, which require massive amounts of energy and water, being built. Many communities are beginning to resist when data centers pop up on a local municipality’s agenda. From Chicago to rural Michigan, the concept of data centers has become a major talking point for many people.
Here is what you should know about data centers being built in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
How the Midwest’s data center gold rush may become a political reckoning
Tech titans are spending billions in the race to develop AI. Their efforts are finding a home in the Midwest.
Read the story from Marissa Meador.
Some Illinois cities view data centers as an economic boon, but residents fear bigger bills
At some point, a data center might be coming to your community. Here’s what’s happening around Illinois.
Read the story from Mike Kramer of the Peoria Journal Star, Tom Ackerman of the State Journal-Register and Steven Spearie of the State Journal-Register.
Is Kentucky ready to join Midwest neighbors in data center building boom?
Hyperscale data centers are massive investments that take massive amounts of land and energy. Some communities have fought back.
Read the Louisville Courier-Journal story from Matthew Glowicki.
Data center boom is pitting Indiana residents against big tech
Data center developers seeking cheap land, energy and tax incentives struck gold in Indiana. But some Hoosiers are fighting back.
Read the story from Alysa Guffey of the IndyStar and Jillian Ellison of the Journal & Courier.
Michigan is front and center as data centers surge into Midwest
The availability of property in Michigan and other Midwest states is one of the reasons they have become a hotspot for data centers, one expert said.
Read the story from Rachel Greco of the Lansing State Journal, Tess Ware of the Livingston Daily and Makayla Coffee of the Livingston Daily.
What is a data center? Everything Hoosiers need to know about AI data centers
The data center boom continues in Indiana. But what are data centers, and why are people upset about them coming to our state?
Read the story from Katie Wiseman.
4 things to know about the new Amazon data center west of South Bend
Amazon Web Services executive says data center is long-term commitment that company wants to be part of community.
Read the story from Jessica Velez.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Data center boom has arrived in the Midwest. Is it welcome? What to know
Reporting by Evan Frank, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
